08 October 2009

A Chess Historian's Dilemma

Let's say you find a recent web article on an obscure subject that is dear to your heart and about which you know something, chess history for example. Let's also say that the article is interesting and covers a specific topic that deserves to be discussed. Then let's say that the article receives only positive comments from its readers. Finally, let's say that the article contains numerous factual errors that appear to have gone unnoticed by its other readers. What do you do?

Do you say nothing and let it go, happy that someone else is interested in your obscure subject? Or do you point out the errors, risking an adverse reaction and perhaps stifling the newcomer's budding interest?

2 comments:

Lauri said...

I don't see why wouldn't you discuss the subject?

Tom Chivers said...

Personally, I try to get involved in as few arguments as possible on the internet, I just don't think it's worth it.

Here however you obviously want to say something but in an unargumentative, gentle way. My suggestion is therefore that rather than comment on the web, you email the author of the piece your opinion. If there is no contact email address, ask for one in the comments.